Heroes bows on Netflix Instant Watch service next day

Episodes will be available day after broadcast

By Ned Randolph -- Video Business, 11/29/2007

NOV. 29 | Netflix and NBC Universal announced a deal Thursday to show the popular NBC TV series Heroes on Netflix's Instant Watch feature.

Netflix subscribers can view episodes of Heroes on their PCs the day after the episodes air, the same time users can watch them for free on the NBC Universal and Fox joint online venture Hulu.com (www.hulu.com).

On Hulu, episodes are periodically interrupted for a 30-second advertising break. Netflix doesn’t have commercial interruptions in other programming available on its site.

Prior seasons of several popular NBC series such as 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights and The Office also will be available on the Instant Watch feature and on DVD via mail.

"We are excited to establish Netflix as a part of our off-network syndication strategy for Heroes," said Frances Manfredi, executive VP and general sales manager at NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. "This deal reflects the changing landscape of the entertainment marketplace and our objective of finding new buyers that complement our traditional customers."

Netflix has about 5,000 titles available through its Instant Watch feature and 90,000 DVD titles available by mail.